Where It All Began

by Debbie Howells

A heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story about mothers and daughters, love, and loss.

Dear Lexie, it feels funny writing to you, but of course, you always wanted to go and do great things. So letters it is, until I see you again. I saw a flower today, and it reminded me of you…

As Edie writes to her long-distant daughter, she finds herself going over her memories of Lexie’s childhood, not just the moments that held them together, but also the things – and the person – who ultimately tore them apart.

Perhaps by writing, she will be able to work out what went wrong. And if she can do that, surely she will find a way to bring Lexie back, to make their family whole again?

But revisiting the past isn’t as comfortable a journey as she’d hoped. And the truth comes with a revelation that will shock Edie, and change everything…

Genres: Romance

Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2026

About the author

Debbie self-published three women's fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and selected for the Richard and Judy book club.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister's Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women's fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.

Follow her on Facebook at Debbie Howells writer and on Instagram @_debbiehowells.

Reviews

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I think it's just came at the wrong point in my life. I'm definitely going to give it another read. The story was good and I thought the concept was interesting. The cover is nice. I like the colours and they just pop. The writing is good and the flowed well enough. The book is written in first person from Edie's point of view. I did enjoy that each chapter was a note to her daughter Lexie. I liked the dual timeline as well. Some of the more sensitive issues such as alcohol dependency and grief were dealt with great sensitivity and care. The plot just advanced a little slowly for me personally. I thought the setting was fine and worked well to give a contemporary feel. I liked that characters. Debbie had planned them well and they were thoroughly developed. I do recommend the book. Just because I wasn't really gelling with it doesn't mean the rest of you won't!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I stayed up to the early hours as it’s about mother and daughter love and loss!!

perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Beth Moran, and Amanda Prowse.

I want to tell you a story, my beautiful child, of every magical thing I wish for you. This is where it all begins…’

But now Edie needs her back home, where it all began. Because – as everything in Edie’s life changes – she realises her daughter Lexie might be the only person who can save her…

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where It All Began
Debbie Howells
Publication Date: April 9th, 2026
Boldwood Books
312 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Health, Mind & Body | Women's Fiction

I love books with family drama, and this one has it in spades. Edie is writing letters to her daughter, Lexi, a daughter she is estranged from. As she writes these letters and the memories resurface, she relives what tore them apart.

This book is very emotional and character-driven. It was hard to read about a mother-daughter relationship that was so broken. Edie is really trying to figure out what (or who) made it all go so wrong, and I think she finally needed to be honest with herself. There are lots of secrets and realizations. Edie’s thoughts were very personal and painfully real, which made me feel completely invested in her history.

The pacing is slow, but I think that was on purpose so the reader could slowly figure things out with Edie. The emotional realization that Edie comes to really ties everything together, even though parts of the story were a tad drawn out. I will say the emotional impact makes up for it.

Overall, this is a poignant story of love, loss, and regret. I felt Edie's hope that healing might still be possible the entire time I was reading. I'm rating for the emotional depth and how much this book made me feel. If you enjoy character-driven stories that take a deep look into family secrets, then I think you'd enjoy it as much as I did!

Just a quick end note, I have read quite a few of Debbie Howells books, and it is my humble opinion that this is her best work yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the summary of this book, I was intrigued. A family drama, where they face trauma and heartbreak, but have hope. So I decided to read it.

It never warned that it would be about suicide. And so I am putting that into my review. I do not have many "triggers", but this is one of them. The story is told through letters that Edie writes to her grown daughter. Edie was married to an abusive alcoholic, yet never left him- for the kids sake. Years later, she is thinking about the choices she made, and the many effects this trauma had on her family. It is through letters that we see glimpses of the marriage, the family life, and later- the effects it had on Lexie and her brother Ollie.

It is beautifully written, and I did not know where this story was heading. Then the suicide.

As someone who has a family member that battled depression, was suicidal- and I never knew if we would make it through- this book brought me back to that time. I will say we made it through- BUT... People who go through this will always worry about the person and in a way we become sentry's- praying that they stay healthy, put boundaries in place, and that the dark will never overcome the light. This book brought it all back, and the fear- paralyzing at the time- has stayed with me. I embrace the person that went through this, and celebrate all she has overcome. But there will always be a lingering anxiety that weigh upon me.

So as someone who is personally affected by this, I felt that mention of suicide should be in the story summary or blurb. This is not a subject that I can walk into blindly, and it is not one that I would willingly choose to read.

I keep going to the summary to see if I missed this important warning. Although it warns about loss, heartbreak, and eventual hope- I did not think this would be the outcome.

This is obviously my personal thoughts/feelings/opinion of the book. I don't know what to rate it. It is well written. The style of using letters to tell the story of the family really drew me in. We come to know Lexie and her brother, and how they are fighting to overcome the trauma in their childhood in different ways. 3 stars for the writing itself, and this this author can create characters that seem to be sitting in the room with you.

If suicide doesn't affect you, please read other reviews to decide. They are so many 4 and 5 star reviews, and as stated previously, this author can write an emotional story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[thesmokymountainsreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where it All Began is a story about loss, heartbreak, and hope. It is not an easy story to read at times. It is told through a series of letters Evie writes to her daughter, Lexie. The book alternates between past and present as Evie attempts to determine what happened. It is not rushed, but nor is it slow in pace. Really, it feels like a private journal that you are reading, a glimpse into someone else's private life, thoughts, and pain. The book's cover is pretty, and it (and the short summary) is what initially drew me to this book, but the subject matter is so, so heavy. Substance abuse, mental health issues, family conflict (including violence), relationships that fold under pressure, abuse, marital separation and divorce, animal cruelty, death, and death by suicide, etc., are some of the subjects. (FYI, all of the topics are respectfully handled, which was appreciated.)

This author has a knack for writing emotional stories, it seems. I was not in the best position to read this book at the time, and therefore, the punch it delivered was tenfold. This book is like life. Sometimes things are not tied up neatly with a bow. They are devastating. However, there is a thread of hope running through the book. It's like just enough hope to hold on to, and sometimes that's all we have. I really like that the book was mostly written in letter format. It gives the story a different feel, with more warmth and personality. We also get to learn about Lexie as a child and in later years. It also gives us a sense of a mother reckoning with her own feelings about what happened. This was a complicated mother-daughter story. It was full of aching. Longing. Feeling. Tenderness. Anger. Forgiveness. Wanting things to be different.

Thank you to Love Books Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something quietly devastating about loving someone at the wrong time—and Where It All Began captures that ache with stunning emotional precision.

Grace’s love for Jackson isn’t loud or impulsive—it’s the kind that grows slowly over sun-drenched summers, tucked into shared memories and almost-moments that never quite crossed the line. Watching her return to the place where it all started—the Ardèche, with its wild rivers and golden light—feels like stepping into a memory she never fully left behind. And when Jackson reappears, newly single and offering her everything she once dreamed of, it’s impossible not to feel the pull right alongside her.

But what makes this story truly compelling is the tension between past and present. Jackson represents unfinished history—the what if that never let her go. Étienne, on the other hand, brings something different: possibility, warmth, and a spark that begins as a game but slowly turns into something far more dangerous…and real.

The fake-dating setup adds a layer of delicious tension, but underneath it all is a deeper exploration of timing, self-worth, and the courage it takes to choose something new over something familiar. And just when you think you know where Grace’s heart will land, the story reminds you that love is rarely simple—and never without risk.

Atmospheric, emotional, and full of longing, this is a story about first loves that linger, second chances that tempt, and the realization that sometimes where it all began isn’t where it’s meant to end.

I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my honest review.

[Midnight Tails and Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one feels like reading something you were never meant to see.

Told through a series of letters, Edie reaches out to the daughter she’s already lost in every way that matters. As the past unfolds, what broke them isn’t revealed in one clean moment, but in fragments. Choices, silences, and truths she avoided for far too long. It’s raw in a way that feels almost intrusive, like you’re sitting inside thoughts that were never meant to be shared.

The story leans heavily into character over plot, staying close to Edie as she finally confronts the version of events she’s been telling herself. There’s no rush to get anywhere. The timeline shifts gently between past and present, letting the full picture form slowly, piece by piece.

It is a quiet kind of slow burn. Repetitive in places, but deliberately so. The repetition mirrors the way people revisit their own mistakes, turning them over, trying to reshape them into something easier to live with.

The subject matter is heavy throughout. Addiction, violence within families, and relationships that fracture under pressure. There are moments that are genuinely difficult to sit with, including scenes of animal cruelty that won’t work for every reader. Still, there’s a thread of hope running beneath it all. Not loud or sweeping, but present in small, hard-earned moments of change.

This isn’t a story that ties everything up neatly. It stays with you instead. Quietly devastating, deeply human, and centred on the things we say too late, or not at all.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this by the Blurb and cover, it sounded like it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, but in the most beautiful way! I can confirm it absolutely was, I was sobbing (fairly often), had a few giggles, and felt my heart break over and over.
The story is told through letters from Edie to her daughter. It's unclear at first where Lexie is, and I assumed mother and daughter were estranged, then over time its made clear what has happened. Each chapter tells you whether its from before, or now, taking Edie through memories from her children's youth, to where life sees them all currently. I really like this style, its not something I see often in my reads!
This has so many dark aspects to it, alcoholism, abuse, mental health, separation, divorce, animal cruelty, death, and death by suicide. Every topic is handled sensitively and factually.
I loved the relationship between Edie and Lucy, and then when we see more, with Edie and Mary. Edie has some brilliant supports in her life, we should all be so lucky.
Edie is very hard on herself, could she have done things differently, undoubtedly, but that's the beauty of hindsight. What it shows is how real she is (as real as a character in a book gets anyway!). She is humanised, and her story will resonate with so many.
I couldn't read this too quickly, I often race through books of similar lengths, but there was something about this that I just wanted to draw out and savour.
It is a beautiful story, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I haven't read anything from this author before, but I would definitely read more now!

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Where it all began’ is truly a beautiful read. The writing style is exceptional, I loved that it was written in letters. The writing adds so much emotion to the book, it adds realism and it makes the read powerful.

This is a read that tackles abusive relationships, addiction and grief. It shows how addiction is an illness and it has lasting effects on people. It shows the difficulties of leaving an abusive relationship, so many people wonder why the victim doesn’t leave however this read tackles the reasons on why it is difficult and I believe it ‘where it all began’ will help readers understand more, it will also educate readers on addiction and how much it effects people surrounding it. This read also tackles the difficulties of grief and how you are always grieving but you learn to deal with it positively. During the letters to Lexie, as a reader I learnt so much about Edie, her personality and what a strong character she is and we can see how Lexie and Ollie gained Edies strength, in particular I loved the bond Lexie and Ollie had, they are the definition on how siblings should be, sticking together and having each others back. Edie’s and Mary’s bond really gripped me and we can see how Mary and Mary’s grandson Joe really supported Edie through.

As a whole, ‘where it all began’ is an eye opening read, it’s a sentimental book and it really touched me. It’s empowering in ways and I would recommend this read to anybody especially if you’re a fan of emotional reads.

[Marte Haga · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars for a very believable and realistic portrayal of a mother dealing with the effects of her husband's alcoholism on her and her two children.

The story is partly told through letters written from this mother to her daughter with shared memories, thoughts and feelings about past experiences, trying to understand and explain, showing how she tried her best to do right by them all. The story also follows the mother here and now, after having left her husband, working in a flower shop with her friend, and regularly seeing her son and his wife.

+ Very well put together story with emotions that are raw and real.
+ The combination of letters adressed to Lexie and the here and now-narration works very well, giving life to the story and keeping it from feeling like one long tale of misery, and also increases the pace a little, keeping it from becoming slow and repetitive.
+ The characters are very convicing and well developed, with individual personalities that make them come alive
+ The topic of addiciton and other mental health struggles is respectfully handled, and with layers - showing (rather than telling!) how hard it is to deal with in so many ways. Guilt, shame, regret. No matter the choice, someone will be hurt. Also the anger followed by sorrow and self blame, because it is a disease, but it also feels like a person just making bad, selfish decisions

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

📆 single non-linear timeline.
👀 single POV
🐢 -🐇 slow-paced
💬 "Life isn't easy - and it isn't perfect either."

'Where It All Began' deals with some deep, upsetting issues such as alcoholism and abuse. Yet I found it to be oddly calming and relaxing to read. I thought it really summed up some of the complexities of parenting. We want our children to fly, to go further than we did. But at the same time we never want them to leave us. Not really anyway. We might want space, and to have our homes back, but I think most parents would like their children to stay nearby.

I really identified with Edie. l think Mum guilt is really common. I know often find myself running through my children's childhoods in my head, thinking about all the ways I failed them, all the things I could done better. I also know my children don't think of their childhood like this. See, mum guilt!

The writing felt really genuine, the letters felt completely real to me. I did think that the twist/surprise was obvious and I had guessed it before it was revealed. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story at all.

Overall I found this to be a really beautiful, sad, loving story about the strength of a Mother’s love. And Mum guilt!

[Holly Annaleisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where It All Began completely broke me in the quietest, most unexpected way.

From the very first letter Edie writes to Lexie, I felt that ache in my chest. The way the story unfolds through her memories, the beautiful moments, the horrendous moments, the misunderstandings felt so intimate and painfully real. It captures that complicated mother-daughter love so honestly. Not dramatic for the sake of it, just raw and deeply human.

There were chapters where I had to stop and just sit with what I’d read. The grief, the longing, the hope that maybe things could have been different if different paths were taken. And when the revelations started to unfold, they genuinely hit. It’s one of those stories that slowly tightens around your heart without you even realising.

This book isn’t loud or flashy. It’s tender, reflective, and incredibly moving. It made me think about family, forgiveness, and how fragile relationships can be.

An easy five stars for me. Beautifully written, emotional, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to the author and Boldwood Books for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

As Edie writes to her long-distant daughter, she finds herself going over her memories of Lexie's childhood, not just the moments that had he;d them together, but also the things - the person - who ultimately tore them apart. Perhaps by writing, she will be able to work out what went wrong. And if she can do that, surely she will be able to bring Lexie back, to make her family whole again? But revisiting the past isn't as comfortable a journey as she hoped. And he truth comes with a revelation that will shock Edie, and change everything.

As the story unfolds, it's told to us from Edie's memories. It's a very emotional read. There is some animal cruelty which most readers won't like. This is a story of love, loss and grief that has been beautifully written. There is also some repetition. The pace is on the slow side. This story will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. I took half a star away for the animal cruelty.

Published 9th April 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #DebbieHowells for my ARC of #WhereItAllBegan in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where It All Began is a compelling and touching read that explores issues such as alcoholism, family violence and animal welfare. Told over a dual timelines as letters from a mother to her daughter. Debbie explores the impact of alcoholism on a family. From walking on eggshells, abuse, anger outbursts to the longer term impacts on the family with one child be long highly anxious and the other burying their head in the sand. You really felt for mother, Edie and her kids Ollie and Lexie. You also got a good feel for why Edie chose to stay with her husband for so long despite his issues.

The characters were well developed over the storyline. Whilst the subject matter was heavy I enjoyed the glimpses of hope with Edie taking control of their lives and then building up her business floristry business, Lexie’s passion for saving animals and Ollie building his own family. I loved the support Edie got from Lucy and Mary. A powerful story of grief, love, family bonds and friendship.

[hello.noshelfcontrol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved books that truly stay with you—stories that reach deep and linger even after the final page. This book explores the realities of being a mother and a wife, showing both the quiet joys and the difficult moments that come with it.

As someone newly married, seeing the realities of marriage in this story honestly made me feel a bit worried at times. Still, I know my situation is different from the characters’, especially when it comes to her husband.

Although it talks about how messy marriage can be, the author presents it in a way that still feels light and comforting. It doesn’t bring you down, but instead gives a sense of warmth while reading.

There’s so much to take away from this story. It reminds us that no matter how much time and effort we give, things don’t always turn out the way we want. Sometimes, we just need to learn how to cope, forgive, and keep moving forward.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit of a hard read, a broken family that honestly is quite depressing to read about. I did love the letters that Edie wrote to her daughter. Although they were heartbreakingly raw, I think it was helpful to the story to see that part of Edie's heart.
Throughout the story I wanted Edie to take control of her life and be there for her two children, and leave her alcoholic husband. I did enjoy the story as it rolled along and told the second half of Edie's life. A story of love, loss, regret, and grief, I was rooting for healing for this little family the entire time. This is the first book I've read by Debbie Howells, and even though this wasn't my favorite book so far this year, I will say I loved that it brought out emotions in me. The characters are very well written and easy to feel what they're going through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for allowing me this e-arc. This review is my opinion of this story.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where it all began
By @_debbiehowells
Publication date- 9th April 2026

Oh wow, this book totally got me hook, line & sinker...oh how I sobbed 😭 💔.
A wonderful read I could feel every emotion going Happy, sad, heartbreak, new beginning's, lost love, new love, such a heart wrenching story & written so beautifully. This will definitely be one of 2026 top reads for me.
The story at its core is about grief, love & loss.
It is explained through letters from Edie to her daughter Lexie, what happened in their life's & how it shaped them it was beautiful.
Topics also covered in this read were alcoholism & animal cruelty.
The 1st book I've read by Debbie Howells & it was an easy 5 star from me 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you so much to @_debbiehowells & @boldwoodbooks for giving me the opportunity to read this ❤️

[Kellys.bookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the writing style of this book told through letters.
Edie writing letters to her daughter adds a very raw and intimate emotional layer. Like the inner working of someone’s thoughts or journal that are never meant to be seen.

This is not a light airy read it’s incredibly difficult and bittersweet but felt honest and real.

The pacing of this book is slow and can be repetitive but that’s intentional it mirrors what we would do. Revisiting and repeating those hard moments or choices to make sense of them.

There is a heaviness to the book that brings you to reflect on your life and choices whilst gripping you in its emotional unyielding hold.

This encompasses the quiet lasting devastation that can linger forever from grief, but also your own decision that have shaped you and you personal world around you.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

At its core, this is a story about grief, about love, loss, and the ways those experiences shape who we become. Through Edie’s letters to her daughter, Lexie, you can see her growth as she learns from her past and confronts the pain she carries. The novel also portrays the impact of alcoholism on an entire family, and this aspect is handled thoughtfully and convincingly throughout.

Unfortunately, the story just wasn’t for me. It’s beautifully written, but also incredibly heavy and emotionally difficult to read at times. The pacing can feel slow and occasionally repetitive. Still, the ending offers a touch of hope, which gives the book a gentle lift after all the heaviness.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“Where it All Began” is by Debbie Howells. This book is an incredibly heavy one - heavy topics (grief, alcoholism, love) and everything in between. Edie, a mother, writes letters to her daughter, Lexie, and thought the letters the reader sees the present and past - growing in the present as she confronts the pain of her past. Was this a well done book - yes, but between the slow pacing (though necessary, I think, for the story) and the heaviness of the topic, it wasn’t the most easiest of books to go through. This is a slow and reflective book and if you like books like that - with hard hitting topics - this may be a book for you to pick up.

[Courtney Kniffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Women’s Fiction | Romance
Pages: 319
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Rating: 5 stars
Trigger warnings: Suicide, alcoholism, physical abuse, mental abuse

This one touched my heart so much. I am not too proud to admit there were some times when I ugly cried. As a child of divorce due to emotional abuse secondary to alcoholism, I relate to this story so much. This story follows Edie, a woman married to a man who chose drinking over his wife and 2 kids. She finally has enough and leaves him. Throughout the book, the narrative changes from Edie writing letters to her daughter, Lexie, and telling her story to us. What a beautiful story. Although, this story is not based on a real life story, the realism is all too realistic, relatable, and not talked about nearly enough.

[Nicki Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book to review.

From the very first letter, I knew this was a book that was to stay with me. This book covered all aspects of addiction and how families live with it.
The information about animal cruelty was harrowing but informative. The way this was portrayed makes you think more about what you do and how you see things in real life.
The story was emotional, gripping me at times and making me cry on several occasions.
It truly was a tale of love and loss, friendships and family. Overall, it was a brilliant read and I am glad I got the opportunity to read this.

[Orla · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I went into Where It All Began by Debbie Howells completely blind after being offered an ARC and I’m so glad I did. This is a deeply heartfelt and emotional exploration of grief that really pulled me in.

Be prepared: this is not a light, fluffy read. It’s heavy, immersive, and at times quite consuming, but in a way that feels honest and meaningful rather than overwhelming for the sake of it. Edie’s character especially struck me, I found myself rooting for her throughout and just wanting things to turn out okay.

A powerful and moving story that handles difficult themes with sensitivity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly emotional book that is laid out in the form of letters from a mother to her daughter. The family has struggled with the alcoholism of and verbal and physical abuse from the her husband for almost the entire length of her marriage. The book explores the mental toll that has taken on the wife and her children. It also explores what it takes to come out from under all of that. The book also deals with peoples neglect and inconsideration of animals, especially farm animals that are raised for our consumption. It is really a hard hitting book, but there are light spots to carry it through.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Krisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not what I expected from the cover. I was anticipating a lighthearted romance. However, I was hooked from the very first chapter. The story immediately drew me in, and I wanted to know more. Unfortunately, as the book progressed, it became increasingly repetitive. While it was important to the story, it felt overdone at times.

The writing itself is compelling, and the early chapters had me fully engaged, but the repetitive nature made the middle sections feel longer than necessary. Overall, it’s an emotionally charged book with moments that resonate,

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture for sending this book for review consideration.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4 stars
This book is written in the format of letters to Lexie and explores the mother – daughter relationship between Lexie and her Mum Edie. Edie has lost Lexie in every way and she wants to reach out to her and fix things.
It’s a slow paced book but the story unfolds beautifully whilst covering a range of difficult subjects including addiction, domestic violence and pressurised family relationships. It’s incredibly sad and tough to read in places, very emotive.
This is the first book I’ve read by Debbie Howells and I loved it and definitely want to read more of her books.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult read. I found myself constantly angry with Edie even though the author went to great lengths to try and explain what motivated her actions. It just wasn't enough for me. And when you can't find that emotional attachment to a character, its very difficult to look aside and still enjoy the story. And even though I've spent the last week trying to understand her and why she decided to keep exposing her children to such a situation, I can't. I'm so sorry but I have to leave 3 stars only. I don't like doing this as I know how much work the author has put into it but I do have to be honest.

[Marie Yarwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful read - emotional and heartfelt storyline about loss of your own daughter written in letters from mother to deceased daughter in a way to help mum deal with her grief and telling her daughters story.

Lexi may only have had a short life and battled with toxic demons just like her father had done all through her and her brothers childhood but in between those times she was a fierce believer in what was right and wrong in life and was an active member of the ‘community’ in trying to stop everything that was wrong.

Lexi may be gone from this world but she will certainly not be forgotten

[Jane Couttie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley for free in return for an honest review.
I feel mixed about this book, I think it is a very well written dual timeline story but maybe if id known how the story was going to go I’m not sure i would have read it.
It covers very deep emotional topics.
Edie is a fifty something mother of two who is going through turmoil in her marriage and the book is her writing letters to her daughter Lexie with the preface of before and after.
I struggled with elements of it to do with her husband and her staying there even though her children were suffering.
It’s a very emotive book and if you like deep characters then I think you’ll like it.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find myself drawn to this author’s writing, and this one felt especially intimate because of the letters to a daughter woven into the story. It created a very direct, personal tone that made everything feel closer and more exposed than a typical narrative.

The emotional weight comes through in a quiet, steady way, where sadness builds through reflection rather than events. The letters give space for honesty that feels unfiltered, and that makes the story feel deeply personal and grounded in real experience.

It’s a heavy read in feeling, but also sincere, with a sense of truth running through it that stays with you after finishing.